---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activity report for the Community Schools Program (May to December 2011)

Table of contents: Overview of the program Programs goal Political situation Schools Profile Program management and implementation School materials distribution Annual visit Tenth anniversary celebration Interview, letter to donors and comments Annual meeting WCPRC workshops Funding situation/ sources Overview of the program of activities Challenges, successful, need for school and future plans page 3 to 6 Page 7 page 8 page 9 to 26 page 26 to 27 page 27 to 29 page 30 page 30 to 39 Page 39 to 43 Page 43 to 47 Page 47 to 49 Page 50 to 52 Page 52 to 53 Page 54 to 55

Conclusion

page 55 to 56

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

Overview In 2001 the Brackett Foundation (USA) encouraged Eh Thwa, (acting Program director for the Community Schools Program), to write a proposal for the support of an Internally Displaced School (IDP) in Karen State in Burma. The Brackett foundation then donated the necessary funds to financially support the Loe Khee School in the Kler Lwee Htoo District, Karen State. Two more schools received funding in 2002 and by 2006 the number of different schools demanded that the project change its name. Originally called the IDP school in Karen State, the schools were now united under the banner of the Community Schools Program. Since then Community Schools Program donors have been established through word of mouth and through referrals. All 30 schools supported by the Community Schools Program were pre-existing and run by parents and village members however they lacked the basic necessities. The Community Schools Program has ensured that all the basic necessities for each school are met and that these schools are sustainable for the future. As acting Program director of the Community Schools' Program, Eh Thwa is responsible for liaising with donors and schools by collecting, translating and providing bi-annual reports for each donor. The program director facilitates the annual meeting for school representatives, and researches concrete ways to improve this work. Examples include increasing access to water and sanitation, building proper and suitable buildings, and establishing reliable financial support. At the end of 2006, 13 schools from the program registered to the World's Children Prize Foundation. In April 2008, the remaining 17 schools in the program registered to the foundation. The registered schools received the WCPRC certificate. The global prize magazine has been sent to schools annually; and the children have the right to participate globally.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

Once upon a time Burma was the richest country in South East Asia, with huge natural resources. But while the ruling generals, who took control of Burma in a military coup, have become richer, the majority of Burmas population now live in extreme poverty. Over the years, many Burmese people who have protested against their oppressors have been killed or imprisoned. In April 2011, the WCPRC award Ceremony, legendary democracy champion and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma became an Honorary Adult Friend and patron of the Worlds Childrens Prize. She has been under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years, and her latest detention term came to an end in November 2010. A released from house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi still cannot leave her country. So Queen Silvia made a symbolic gesture to show that she has become an Honorary Adult Friend, by presenting a crystal globe to a Burmese girl. Aung San Suu Kyi was present at the ceremony through a large photograph and video greeting. As an Honorary Adult Friend, I didnt know what I should say to you on behalf of the children here, so I asked them. Many children in Burma are so poor that their most vital right is the right to life, said Aung San Suu Kyi in a video message to the Award Ceremony. Several thousand school children in Burma have been participating in the Worlds Childrens Prize for a number of years, carrying out their democratic Global Vote. Copies of the Globe in English are smuggled into the country along with translations to Karen and Burmese, and the children use these to learn about the rights of the child and about the prize candidates work for children. For more information please visit: http://worldschildrensprize.org/newpatron2011

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

Queen Silvia presenting a crystal globe to a Burmese girl (photo by WCPRC)

Aung San Su Kyi with the children in Burma(photo by WCPRC)

According to the Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, Burmese forces have occupied educational facilities for military purposes, recruited teachers and students for forced labour, and planted landmines close to or on the paths to schools. In eastern Burma, fewer than half the children aged five to 13 attend school regularly, according to a 2010 report by the Karen Human Rights Group, which focuses on Human rights violations in rural eastern Burma. It is clear that the Burmese government has continued to both abuse the educational and cultural rights of students and deny the people their right to healthcare. Burma continues to fail to meet its international human rights treaty obligations. Current plans to reform the health and education sectors fall far short of international standards. Many children in Burma, who live in the internally displaced areas under the control of the Burmese government, cannot attend school for many reasons. It may be as simple

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

as the parents being unable to pay for the teaching materials and school uniforms. Those that complete primary school may need to move to a new place to continue their study. This may not be possible because many families in Burma depend on the children to help by looking after the animals, looking after the younger brothers and sisters when the parents go to work and sometimes the children are sent to do daily labour to earn some income.

A young boy is looking after the cows

In the 2011-2012 academic school year, the Community Schools Program helped 27 primary schools and 3 middle schools. There were a total 1824 students and 111 teachers in the 30 schools.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

Goal: To provide primary and middle level education to children between the ages of 4 and 17 years old in the internally displaced schools, in both the cease fire zone schools as well as some schools in the area of Karen State, Burma under the control of the Burmese government. Improvement of local literacy rates will prepare and enable children to pursue further educational opportunities, and will promote the childs personal and social development within their family, and facilitate them to take on community responsibilities in the future.

KG students are trying to write the Karen language

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

Political situation in Karen State/ Burma (May to December 2011) Despite the Burmese regime holding historic yet manipulated elections in November 2010, and the seemingly significant openings in the political arena since, the Burmese Army nevertheless continues to wage its war against civilian populations in the ethnic borderlands. This has been particularly evident in the Kachin, Shan and Karen States, with the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians both within the nation as well as into neighbouring countries. Much of this activity was aimed to force non-state armed groups refusing to transform into Border Guard Forces under the Burma Army to accede and, now that it is clear that the plan is not working, in the last few months the new government has been putting its efforts into initiating ceasefire negotiations with them instead (interestingly, the DKBA was the only major group to voluntarily agree to join the BGF proposal). At the time of writing, initial ceasefire agreements have been made with the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the Shan State Army (South), the Mongla group, and the Brigade 5 faction of the DKBA which refused to transform, while the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni Army and the Chin National Front (CNF) are still in the early stages of negotiation, insisting such an agreement will not only lead to an improved protection environment for their civilian populations, but also genuine participation in the countrys political system and much needed development in their rural areas.

A young Karen girl standing at the river bank looking back in the direction of her now abandoned village (Photo by Free Burma Ringer)

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

Schools in the Community Schools Program There are thirty schools which receive funding from the program, twenty six are primary schools and four are middle schools. The school year begins in the first week of June 2011 and finishes at the end of February or beginning of March 2012. Classes run from Monday to Friday starting at 8: 30 am until 4 pm with a one hour lunch break from 12pm to 1pm. The schools follow the Karen Education Department (KED) curriculum; some schools also take the Burmese schools curriculum.

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Name of the school Loe Khee primary Saw Bwe Dern middle Hee Poe Dern primary Ta Mai Khee primary Su Khee primary Ka Wa Hta priamry Baw Nor War primary Ta Nay Poe Klar (or) Mae Kaw Lor primary Doe Hai Dern middle Lay Nar Dern primary Wai Nor Dern primary Kyaw Nyunt Hta( Kal Put1) priamry Paw Hta(Kal Put2) primary Tha Thwee Dern( Ta Kwee Soe ) primary Tha Thwee Dern( Thoo Bee) primary

Boys 21 79 33 17 11 31 15 37 57 27 38 10 30 6 17

Girls 19 74 29 17 18 27 13 23 57 18 34 10 29 12 11

Total students 40 153 62 34 29 58 28 60 114 45 72 20 59 18 28

Male teachers 1 4 0 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0

Female teachers 3 4 4 1 2 3 1 1 6 3 4 2 3 1 2

Total teachers 4 8 4 2 2 3 3 3 8 3 4 2 3 2 2

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Kwee Ta Mar middle Bu Baw Khee primary Mee Wah Dern primary Paw Say Bu primary Doi Loe primary Kar Nar Dern primary Plaw Khee primary Ler Wah Koe primary Law Bo Dern primary Kaw Lor Khee primary Pay Gay Dern primary Gaw Khee middle Ta kaw Dern primary Thay Taw Loe primary Ler Gaw Hta primary Total

124 14 20 10 24 32 17 24 19 11 23 50 13 52 81

121 20 11 10 14 21 27 14 15 14 20 61 11 44 87

245 34 31 20 38 53 44 38 34 25 43 115 24 96 168

2 3 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 3

8 0 2 2 2 2 1 0 3 2 3 8 2 2 4

10 3 2 2 3 4 2 2 3 2 4 9 2 3 7

943

881

1824

30

81

111

Below is a summary of each school 1) Loe Khee Primary school Loe Khee primary school is situated in Saw Tee Township, Loe Khee village, in Kler Lwee Htoo district. The school has received the funding since 2001. There are twenty houses and about 160 people in the village. All of villagers are farmers working in the plantation fields. Some are Buddhist, and some are Christian. It takes four days walk to reach the Thai/ Burma border. The school teaches Kindergarten to the fourth standard. 20

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

10

students are boys and 20 are girls with four teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they go to Kaw Mu Dern High school or Gaw Khee middle school to continue their education.

Students and teachers from Loe Khee School

Saw Bwe Dern middle School Saw Bwe Dern middle school is situated in Bu Tho Township, Pa Pun district in Saw Bwe Dern village. Saw Bwe Dern is in the ceasefire area so the villagers need to give food and supplies to the Burmese soldiers and the Karen soldiers as well. When the Burmese soldiers plan to attack the Karen villages, villagers from Saw Bwe Dern cannot go to their plantation fields, farms and forests. They all need to stay inside the village. Saw Bwe Dern School teaches Kindergarten to seventh standard, 79 students are boys and 74 are girls with eight teachers. After the students have finished seventh standard they go to attend the high school in Ei Thoo Hta refugee camp or Pa Pun High school to continue their education.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

11

Class room in Saw Bwe Dern School

2) Hee Poe Dern primary school Hee Poe Dern primary school is situated in Bu Thoo Township, Pa Pun district in Hee Poe Dern village. Hee Poe Dern is in the ceasefire area as well. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard at the school and 33 students are boys and 29 are girls with four teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they go Saw Bwe Dern middle school to continue their study.

Students from Hee Poe Dern School

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

12

3) Ta Mai Khee primary school Ta Mai Khee primary school is situated in Ta Mai Khee village in Du Tha Htoo district in Karen state. Ta Mai Khee village is situated on a high mountain and in deep forest; malaria is the big concern in that area. There is a small clinic in the village. Previously Ta Mai Khee, Su Khee, Ka Wa Hta and Baw Nor War schools were referred to using the one school name: Ta Mai Khee. In December 2010 annual meeting it was decided to give each school a name for the records. These four schools are situated far from the Thai/Burma border. Soe Myint from the Back Pack Health Worker Team has been the schools contact person since the school started receiving funding but sadly last year his wife and two children passed away in a car accident. For this reason, he is now taking rest for a while. If he chooses to he will work as the schools contact person again in the future. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard 17 are boys and 17 are girls with two teachers.

Students, teachers and schools committees from the four schools (Ta Mai Khee)

4) Su Khee primary school Su Khee primary school is situated in Ta Mai Khee village in Du Tha Htoo district in Karen state. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, with 11 male students and 18 female students with two teachers. There is no clinic in the village, if the students and teachers are sick they need to go to Ta Mai Khee village to receive the health care. It takes two hours walking from Su Khee to Ta Mai Khee village. All of the villagers are farmers, working in the plantation fields growing rice and some vegetables.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

13

5) Ka Wa Hta primary school Ka Wa Hta primary school is situated in Ka Wa Hta village in Du Tha Htoo district in Karen state. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, 31 male students and 27 female students with three teachers. Most of villagers are farmers.

Students, teachers and schools committee in four schools ( Ta MaI Khee) are having the picnic

6) Baw Nor War primary school Baw Nor War primary school is situated in Baw Nor War village, Bee Lin township, Du Tha Htoo district in Karen state. There are 32 houses and 160 people live in the village. In this school year, the teachers and students have been faced with malaria, and cold weather. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, 15 male students and 13 female students with two teachers. 8) Ta Nay Poe Klar Primary School (or) Mae Kaw Lor Ta Nay Poe Klar School (or Mae Kaw Lor) is situated in Ta Nay Poe Klar village, in Pa Pun district, Karen State in Burma. There is Kindergarten to fourth standard and with three teachers and there are 37 boys and 23 girls. After the students have finished the fourth standard, they can continue studying in Mai Wai middle school, run by the Burmese government. This is difficult for some students as they do not receive support to pay for educational materials and school uniforms.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

14

Football team in Ta Nay Poe Klar (Mae Kaw Lor) School

9) Doe Hai Dern Middle School Doe Hai Den middle school is situated in Doe Hai Dern village, in Mu Htraw district, Karen State in Burma. There is Kindergarten to seventh standard and eight teachers and there are 57 boys and 57 girls. After the students have finished the seventh standard, they can continue studying at Day Bu Noh high school, some students instead move to the schools that are run by the Burmese government. 10) Lay Nar Dern primary school Lay Nar Dern School is situated in Pa Pun district and is a days walk to the Thai/ Burma border. Most villagers buy food and supplies in Pa Pun town. All of the villagers are farmers and some also earn money through trade. The school has Kindergarten to the fourth standard and 27 boys and 18 girls with four teachers. All of the teachers are from Ba Thein town and they have all finished Bible school. After the students have finished the fourth standard they need to move to a different village to attend middle school. Some go to Pa Pun and some go to Day Bu Noh.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

15

11) Wai Nor Dern primary school Wai Nor Dern School is situated in Pa Pun district, in Karen State in Burma. It takes a day to walk to the Thai/ Burma border. Two schools were combined and named Wai Nor Dern. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, 38 students are boys and 34 students are girls, with four teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they need to move to continue their studies. All the villagers are farmers; some have farms but most of them are working in the plantation fields. Every year, the villagers do not get enough rice for their family even though they work very hard, so malnutrition is a big concern. There is no clinic in the village so the villagers have to walk for three hours to receive health care. Kyaw Nyunt Hta primary school Kyaw Nyunt Hta (previously, until this year, called Kal Put) is situated in Kyaw Nyunt Hta village, Pa Pun district in Karen Sate. It takes four hours to walk from Saw Bwe Dern middle school and a days walk from Pa Pun town and Ei Thoo Hta refugee camp. There is Kindergarten to the second standard; there are 10 boys and 10 girls with two teachers. In the beginning of December the Burmese army started to transport food to their base. The road they use is close to Kyaw Nyunt Hta so the villagers have to be careful. Paw Hta primary school Paw Hta was combined with Kyaw Nyunt Hta, under the name Kal Put, from 2005 until this school year when it was given its own name: Paw Hta. It is situated in Paw Hta village, Pa Pun district in Karen state. The village is in the cease fire area and the Burmese army, Border Guard Force (BGF) and the KNLA come to the village and villagers have to give food and help to all three groups. The women and children do not need to run away when the DKBA and SPDC arrive in the village, but the men often go into hiding when SPDC forces are nearby or else they face being recruited as porters. It takes three hours to walk between Kyaw Nyut Hta and Paw Hta village. There are 300 people living in the village and most of them are farmers and work in the farms or the plantation fields. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, 30 boys and 29 girls with three teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they move to Pa Pun town to continue their education.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

16

Ta Kwee Soe Primary School Thoo Bee and Ta Kwee Soe schools previously, since 2005, shared the name Tha Thwee Dern. In this school year they have been given their own names. It takes one hour to travel between the two schools. Ta Kwee School is situated in Tha Thwee Dern village, Pa Pun district in Karen state. Most villagers are farmers and working in the plantation fields, sometimes they are able to grow enough rice but sometimes they do not. There is one clinic between the two schools. There is Kindergarten to the second standard with 6 boys and 12 girls and two teachers. After the students have finished the second standard they need to move to a different village to continue their education. For this reason many students drop out after the primary school level. Usually the students move to Lay Thwel Koe middle school and Day Bu Noh high school

Students and teachers from Ta Kwee Soe School

Thoo Bee primary school Thoo Bee primary school is situated in Thoo Bee village, Pa Pun district in Karen state. It is a days walk to the Thai/ Burma border. All of the villagers are farmers and grow rice; they also look for wild seasonal fruits to sell in a village on the Thai/ Burma border. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard 17 boys and 11 girls with two teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they need to move to a new village to continue their education.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

17

Teachers and students from Thoo Bee school

Kwee Ta Mar middle school Kwee Ta Mar middle school is situated in Doi Loe Township in Pa Pun district far away from the border. The school is situated in the cease fire zone and the KNLA, DKBA and the Burmese army all visit the village. Two years ago a company arrived in the village to mine for gold. Many farms were destroyed to build roads and the river which villagers used to use for drinking water, fishing and irrigation for their gardens, became unusable due to toxic poising from the mining. The head of the company agreed to buy water pipes to provide the village with a water supply but they still need many more pipes in the area. Kwee Ta Mar School has two building: one build by bamboo and roof by leave and second one build by the wood. This school belongs to the Karen Education Department and the Burmese government, but in the 2011-2012 school year the Ministry of Education (Burma) recognised it as a Burmese school. There is Kindergarten to the eight standard, 124 boys and 121 girls with ten teachers. There is a teacher from the government who is responsible for completing documentation confirming a student has passed eighth standard to enable them to continue their education in high schools in the Burmese towns such as Bee Lin or Tha Htoo. This is the good opportunity for the children to progress and possibly in the future attend college/university.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

18

Kwee Ta Mar middle school (new building)

Class room in Kwee Ta Mar School

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

19

Teachers from Kwee Ta Mar middle school

Bu Baw khee Primary School Bu Baw Khee School is situated in Pa Pun district, Lu Thaw Township at Bu Baw Khee village, Karen State. The school has existed, through the dedication of the parents in the village, for many years but in 2007 the school started receiving funding from the Community Schools Program. There are 185 people and 25 houses in the village. It only takes one and half hours to walk from the village to the Burmese army base so villagers need to be ready to flee at any time. The village is surrounded by high mountains and lots of forests so malaria is a big problem. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, 14 boys and 20 girls with three teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they need to move to a new village to continue their education. Mee Wah Dern primary school Mee Wah Dern School is situated in Mee Wah Dern village, in Karen state, Burma and it takes three hours to walk from the school to Lay Nar Dern School. There is no clinic in the village and if the villagers, students or teachers are sick they need to go to Day Bu Noh for health care. Most of the villagers are farmers and work in the farms and plantation fields. There is Kindergarten to the second standard, 20 boys and 11 girls with two teachers.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

20

Paw Say Bu primary School Paw Say Bu School is situated in Pa Pun district, Lu Thaw Township in Pay Gay village track at Paw Say Bu village, Karen state. There are 65 people living in the village. Most of the villagers are farmers and work on the farms or plantation fields. There is Kindergarten to the second standard, 10 boys and 10 girls with two teachers. There is no clinic in the village and if the villagers are sick they need to walk for an hour to get to a clinic. Doi Loe Primary School Doi Loe Primary school is situated in Pa Pun district, in Karen State, Burma. It takes an hour by boat to get to Pa Pun town, which is controlled by the Burmese army. The school has Kindergarten to the fourth standard and there are 24 boys and 14 girls with three teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they can continue to study in Day Bu Noh high school or go to Pa Pun town. There is no clinic in the village and if the villagers, students or teachers are sick they need to go to Pa Pun or Day Bu Noh for health care. Most of the villagers are farmers and work on farms and plantation fields. They are able to get enough to eat from the rice paddies if they do not have to run from Burmese attacks. Kar Nar Dern Primary School Kar Nar Dern School is situated in Pa Pun district, Bu Thoo Township in Karen State in Burma. The villagers set up the school and started to receive funding from the Community Schools' Program in 2006. There are 32 houses and more than 100 people living there. Most of the villagers are farmers and work on the farms or plantation fields. The villagers have always been concerned about attacks from the Burmese army but to this day they have been able to stay in the village. It takes 20 minutes to reach the nearest clinic so the villagers are able to receive health care. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, with 32 boys and 21 girls and four teachers.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

21

Plaw Khee Primary School Plaw Khee Primary School is situated in Ler Plaw Khee village, Doi Loe Township in Pa Pun district. In 2002 the school started receiving funding from the Community Schools Program. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard and two teachers. There are 30 houses and 240 people live in the village. Most of the villagers are farmers and work in the farms or plantation fields. In the rainy season the villagers collect dog fruit, betel nuts and some vegetables and sell them in towns. There is no clinic in the village and it is very hard for the villagers who are sick to receive health care. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard and 17 boys and 27 girls with two teachers.

Class room in Plaw Khee School

Ler Wah Koh Primary School Ler Wah Koh Primary School is in Ler Wah Koh village situated in Doi Loe Township in Pa Pun district. The school has received funding from the Community Schools Program since 2006. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard and 24 boys and 14 girls with two teachers. There are 43 houses and 187 people living in the village. Most of the villagers work on farms or plantation fields and also search for gold. There is no clinic in the village and the villagers need to walk for a day to reach to Wah Kar Dern clinic. Law Bo Dern Primary School Law Bo Dern School is situated in Pa Pun district, Lu Thaw Township in Law Bo Dern village. It takes four hours to walk to Pa Pun town, which is controlled by the Burmese

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

22

government. The school has existed for many years with the help of parents and in 2008 the school started receiving funding from the Community Schools' Program. Before it received funding the school was helped by the Karen Education department. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard with 19 boys and 15 girls and three teachers. There are 300 people living in the village and most of the villagers are farmers, working on farms and the plantation fields. The village is controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) so the KNLA takes responsibility for security issues. Kaw Lor Khee Primary School Kaw Lor Khee Primary school is situated in Pa Pun district in Karen state, Burma. It takes a few hours to reach Ei Thoo Hta refugee camp. There is Kindergarten to the second standard with two teachers in the school. 11 students are boys and 14 are girls. After the students have finished the second standard they move to Ei Thoo Hta camp to continue their studies. There is no clinic or health care centre in the village and if the villagers are sick they need to go to Ei Thoo Hta camp for health care. Most of the villagers are farmers and work in plantation fields. Pay Gay Dern School Pay Gay Dern School is situated in Pa Pun district, Lu Thaw Township on Pay Gay village track. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard, with 45 students and 4 teachers. The schools contact person, pastor Lay Wah, wanted to build a new school out of wood, with a metal roof in the beginning of the 2011 but due to lack of funds it has been postponed for a while. There are 30 houses and 150 people living in the village. Most villagers are farmers working on farms and plantation fields. Some of the villagers earn money by selling food. There is no clinic in Pay Gay Dern Village but a few villagers have finished the Community Health Volunteer training, and can look after sick people. If the villagers are seriously sick, they go to Day Bu Noh Clinic. It takes three hours from the village to Day Bu Noh clinic. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard with 23 boys, 20 girls and four teachers.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

23

Student and teachers from PaY gay Dern School are singing a song

Gaw Khee middle school Gaw Khee middle school is in Gaw Khee village, Kler Lwee Htoo district in Karen state. In 2002 the school started receiving funding from the Community Schools Program. There is Kindergarten to the seventh standard with 50 boys and 61 girls and nine teachers. After the students have finished the seventh standard they move to Kaw Mu Dern high school. It takes a day walking from Gaw Khee village to Kaw Mu Dern village. All of the villagers are farmers and work on the farms and plantation fields. A few villagers will do a variety of tasks, including bringing food to other villages to sell. The villagers need to be ready at all times for the possibility of the SPDC attacking the village. The KNLA stay in front of the village to provide security but if the Burmese army attack the villagers have to run to the forest. It takes four hours to reach the nearest clinic. If the villagers are sick they initially just stay at home and take whatever medicine is available. If they dont get better they go to the clinic.

Ta Khut Lay Koe (or Ta Kaw Dern) Primary School Ta Khut lay Koe (also known as Ta Kaw Dern) Primary School is situated in Kler Lwee Htoo district, Ta Kaw Dern village in Karen State Burma. The school is very close to an army base at Mu Thet, so the villagers are frequently displaced by Burmese troops.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

24

Every year this school has to be relocated to a new village. In the beginning of 2010 the village was destroyed by the Burmese army so the villagers ran to another village and stayed there. In the 2010 2011 school year Ta Kaw Dern combined with Gai Dern to receive funding from KSEAG. Although the program is unable to pay the teachers salaries they are able to provide school uniforms, warm shirts, tooth paste and tooth brushes. If Ta Kaw Dern is able to move to a secure location and build a new school they will continue to receive funding from the program. In the beginning of 2011 the villagers moved back to the old village and set up the school again. There is Kindergarten to the second standard with 13 boys and 11 girls and two teachers.

Students and teachers from Ta Kaw Dern School

Ler Gaw Hta primary school Ler Gaw Hta primary school is situated in Mai Ka Nai village in Kaw Ka Rit (Doo Pla Ya district) in Karen state. The Burmese government recognise it as their school but they are not able to support it. The ministry of education from Burma provide four teachers, the other teachers are supported by the parents. It takes two hours to get to Ler Gaw Hta from Thai/Burma border town Myawaddy. The area is controlled by the Burmese army and the DKBA. In November 2010, the DKBA signed an agreement with the Burmese government so now it is the Border Guide Force (BGF) who control the area. This is the second year the school has received funding from the Community Schools Program. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard; 81 boys and 87 girls with seven teachers. After the students have finished the fourth standard they move to Myawaddy or Kaw Ka Rit town to continue studying.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

25

Thay Toe Lor primary school Thay Toe Low primary school is situated in Thay Toe Lor village in Kaw Ka Rit (Doo Pla Ya district) in Karen state. It takes two hours to get to Ler Gaw Hta primary school. Most villagers work on farms; some also have gardens and sell fruit to Myawaddy town. The villagers used to go to the forest to look for vegetables and bamboo and to sell in Myawaddy or Mae Sot but due to the Border Guide Force (BGF) it is now dangerous with lots of landmines. There is Kindergarten to the fourth standard; 52 boys and 44 girls with three teachers.

KG students and two teachers from Thay Toe Lor school

Program management and implementation The activities are implemented by the following people; The Program director Liaises with donors and the community, manages accounts, purchases and distributes materials, writes proposals and reports. Field Co-ordinator Visits each school at least once per year, collects data from schools regarding number of students and teachers, takes photos for the reports, approves accounts and helps the program manager with the report. Assistant field Co-ordinator- Visits the schools located close to the border twice a year, once a year for further schools. Contacts the schools committees before each

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

26

visit, takes photos and find outs what the schools need. Writes a report after each visit which is submitted to Eh Thwa (program director). Distribution Co-ordinator Organises the transport of materials from Mae Sot to the border and on to the storage facility in Burma. Informs the schools of the arrival of the goods, distributes the teachers' payments, and returns the schools' reports to the program manager in Mae Sot. WCPRC Activity Co-ordinator Organises and oversees workshops for the students including; how to organise an annual global vote, child delegation etc. Eleven schools contact person- Back-Pack Medics and Community Health Workers Monitors schools in their area and relays information back to the program manager, gives health education to the teachers and students, and distributes some of the school materials. Twice a year the back-pack medics bring an annual report back to the Program Manager in Mae Sot. Pastors Visit schools, discuss the schools' needs and report back to the Field coordinator. Teachers Collect school reports, implement school activities, check the distribution of goods is satisfactory. Members of the school committees Collect materials from storage facilities, give materials to the teachers, take responsibility for the up keep of the school, take care of the teachers who stay in the dormitories, problem solving. Parents Donate food to the teachers; obtain bamboo for building and repairs in the school. Schools supplies distribution Most of the supplies are bought in Mae Sot and sent to the schools. There is only one school (Ta Mai Khee), where the supplies are paid for in cash and bought in Karen State. The supplies are carried by car from Mae Sot to Mae Sam Lap and then by boat to Mae Nu Hta (storage place). The supplies are kept in the storage place and a man from the storage place contacts each schools contact person and committee. The committee, teachers and students come to Mae Nu Hta and carry the supplies to their schools. The closest school is half a days walk and the furthest is at least a weeks walk.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

27

The schools supplies such as exercise books, pens, pencils, A4 (computer paper) were sent in July and August and again in December. The sarongs/longyis for the teachers, school committees and schools contact person were sent in December.

Each student received 7 exercise books, 5 pens and 5 pencils 2 to 4 packets of A4 (computer paper) for each school 2 to 4 footballs for each school Four digital cameras were given to Saw Bwe Dern middle school, Gaw Khee middle school, Ta Mai Khee school (to share with three schools) and Kwee Ta Mar middle school

Supplies in the boat

Putting the supplies to the storage place

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

28

Students are receiving the exercise books and pens

Teachers stipend distribution In the 2011 2012 academic school year the teachers stipend increased by 500 Baht so each teacher will receive 5,500 Baht a year. On 5th December 2011 each teacher received 4,000 Baht, a further 1,500 Baht will be paid at the end of February 2012. Each teacher had to sign their name to confirm receipt of payment.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

29

The Program staffs visit to the schools From 3rd -10th December 2011 the Program director and field coordinator went to Pa Pun (Mu Traw) township to meet with the students, school committees and teachers and to celebrate the 10th anniversary and hold the annual meeting. During this trip they were only able to visit Lay Nar Dern School but during the events and the WCPRC workshops they met with students and teachers from 25 schools.

Taking rest on the top mountain

10th anniversary celebration On the 6th of December 2011 the 10th anniversary of the Community Schools Program was held in Lay Nar Dern Primary school. We were all very excited and happy to celebrate this special event. We never guessed the program would run for ten years. In the 2001, the program could only support Loe Khee primary school: there were 35 students and two teachers. Now the program is able to support 30 schools: there are 1824 students 111 teachers. Approximately 600 people attended the celebration. There were students, teachers, school committees, contact people, the parents and guests. 25 schools attended this

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

30

celebration all except Plaw Khee primary school, Ta Nay Poe Klar primary school, Ler Wah Koe primary school and Kwee Ta Mar middle schools. This was because the Burmese army has recently attacked the KLNA base on the way to Lay Nar Dern School. In the evening on the 5th December there was a concert performed by the students and teachers. On the 6th in the morning time there was a celebration time which included a time of prayer, presentations of awards to honour 13 people who help the program, prize giving to three schools that provided good pictures of the last ten years; the photos are used in reports and proposals. Following this two children from Saw Bwe Dern middle school and one student from Doe Hai Dern middle school were given WCPRC certificates for their schools. The program manger shared with everyone how the program began, who the donors are, what are the challenges, what have been the successes over the ten years period. There were speeches from the local authority, school contact person and Loe Khee school teacher (Nancy). Then the field assistance coordinator read out a message from Mr Tom Brackett and gave thanks to everyone who attends the celebration. The celebration finished with a prayer from one of the pastors.

10th anniversary celebration place

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

31

People who attend the 10th anniversary celebration

Schools committee who were cooking in the 10th anniversary day

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

32

Students are attending the 10th anniversary celebration

10th anniversary celebration

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

33

Speech by Saw Moses (schools contact person)

Child jury Naw Eh Wah Paw hand over the WCPRC certificate to friend

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

34

Bu Baw Khee school principle received the first prize

People who receive the award

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

35

Volley ball competition

Students and teachers from Saw Bwe Dern School are singing a song in the 10th anniversary celebration

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

36

Children are taking the breakfast

Children are taking the breakfast

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

37

Eating together in the 10th anniversary celebration

Eating together in the 10th anniversary celebration

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

38

Boys and girls are helping for cleaning the plate and bowls.

Interview: An interview with a representative from Bu Baw Khee school committee: My name is Saw Bwe Say and I am 52 years old and work on two school committees. I have four children and I work in the plantation fields growing rice. There are 23 houses and 196 people live in our village. Most of the villagers are farmers. I have previously worked as the township leader for a year, the Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) for two years, and I was the head of transportation for five years. I never attend school, I grew up with my aunty. When I was five months old my mother passed away and my elder brother and I went to live with my aunty, then when I was 15 years old my father passed away. After that I had to go to work on the farm. I wanted to learn to read Karen so I asked my friends to teach me. At that time there was no paper or pen or pencils to write with. I used to write on bamboo with charcoal.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

39

Since Bu Baw Khee School received funding through the Community Schools Program the parents have had less to worry about and also the students enjoy going to school and the teachers can concentrate in the classroom. The program gives lots of children the opportunity for future development. The children in the village can study and also receive clothes and teaching supplies. The annual meeting was a good time for teachers and school committees to discuss, share stories and ideas and solve difficulties together. It was a good chance to get to know each other and learn from other schools activities.

Saw Bwe Say (Bu Baw Khee school committee)

The program director received many letters from the teachers, students and school committees. This letter was written by Gaw Khee middle school principle Saw Eh Lwai.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

40

Teacher Eh Lwai

Date: 9/ 12/ 2011 Thank you letter to everyone who helps us . Please let me explain to you about myself. My name is Saw Eh Lwai and I am one of the school teachers and also the school principle in Gaw Khee middle school. I teach English and Science. My school is situated near a river and surrounded by hills. Every day I go to school at 8: 30 am and come back home at 3: 30 pm. There are 45 houses and 300 people living in the village, most of them work on farms and plantation fields. In the west of the village there are farms and in the south there is the river. The village is surrounded by mountains and hills and green forest but unfortunately we all the time live with fear due to the Burmese army attacking Karen villages. Many villages need to become displaced even in their own country. The villagers encounter with death, loneliness, fear and not enough food due to Burmese army attacks. I would like to thank everyone (donors) who have helped us for many years. We may never see you but you help us when we have problems in our country and I do see your smiling faces full of kindness. When we receive funding from you it helps us and solves our social problems/difficulties. I wish you all the best Merry Christmas and New Year will bring you peace and happiness. From: Saw Eh Lwai Thank you

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

41

The program manager interviewed a student that attended the 10th anniversary celebration: My name is Saw Yel Nay Htoo from Thar Thwee Dern Primary school and I am 11 years old and studying in KGA. I have three brothers and two sisters and I am the youngest in my family. I am very happy that I could come to this 10th anniversary celebration and attend the WCPRC workshop. It takes a day to walk from my village to Lay Nar Dern School. Twenty students and three teachers came from my village and we ate lunch on the way. During the celebration and workshop I played football with my friends, I have also made new friends and eaten a lot of delicious food. If there will be a celebration again I would like to come. I am ready to go back to my home to study and help my parents.

Saw Yel Nay Htoo from Tha Thwee Dern School

Below are more comments from the students who attended the 10th anniversary celebration: Now I know more friends and have had the chance to sing a song. Im very happy I attended the 10th anniversary because I met with friends, played football and ran around with friends. I now know more new friends from the other schools.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

42

I have had the chance to chat with students from the other schools. We swam together with many children. I met with other school students. I like to go to school because I like to read and write. We can play with friends, eat cakes, have a concert and sing songs. In the future I want to attend a celebration like this again. I met a lot of people. (parent) If I pass the fourth standard I will go to Pa Pun government high school. I would like to attend university 10th anniversary is good because I met with the leaders and staff from the program. If I pass the fourth standard I will go to Day Bu Noh high school. I got to know more teachers from the other schools. I would like to organize an event in my school. I was able to talk with students from other schools and have made new friends. We danced and sang songs with friends and were very happy and excited. If there is a celebration like this in the future I would like to come again. It takes two days to walk from my village to Lay Nar Dern School, but I am very happy I came. Many students would like to come with us but they are too young to climb the mountains. If I am an adult I want to be a teacher I would like to be a health worker All the children can sing songs, dance and it gives them confidence. Annual meeting The annual meeting took place in Lay Nar Dern primary school over two and half days. 44 people attended the meeting including teachers, school committees, school contact people and staff who work in the program. The meeting started at 8: 30am and ended at 5pm with a one hour lunch break. It began with an opening speech by the Program director (Eh Thwa). Then the participants introduced themselves.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

43

In the morning session the Program director explained about the program activities, the funding situation and funding sources. Then each school had 3 minutes to give a report about their school. After each school report there was a time for any questions raised by other participants. In the afternoon they were divided into four groups (according to the donors) The program director handed out three main issues for discussion: Over 1. 2. 3. the ten year period: What are the weak points in our workplace? What are the strong points in our workplace? What are our plans for the future?

The participants discussed and then came back to the whole group to present their ideas. Below are the answers from the four groups: Weak points The school reports do not arrive in Mae Sot on time. There is a lack of communication between the border (storage place) and the schools. The photos are not sent on time. Sometimes the teachers cannot attend school due to family problems. We do not have a camera so cannot send photos with the school report. There is a lack of qualified teachers. There is a lack of cooperation between teachers and the school committees. Students do not have enough good nutritional food (malnutrition is a big concern for the students). There has been some confusion with the Karen Education leaders about asking the principle to write the school report and to draw the schools picture and village picture.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

44

Strong points Some schools hold monthly meetings with the teachers and school committees and some hold them every three months. The parents try hard to send their children to school. The teachers are trying very hard in the classroom. We received funding for ten years so the schools can run very well without worrying. Receiving funding solves the difficulties among families and the community. The students received clothes so they have clean clothes and their health is improving. The students more enthusiastic about studying. The annual meeting is making us stronger because we can share and discuss a lot with each other. The school committees and teachers have strong commitment.

Plans for the future (2012 to 2015 school year) We will have fellowship with the other three schools in Do Tha Htoo district. We will organize a monthly competition for the students. Every three months we will organize the basic child workshop for the parents (Baw Nor War). We will hold a monthly meeting with the parents. We will celebrate special events such as Karen New Year, Water festival, Christmas day etc. The school committees, parents, teachers and students should have a school picnic before celebrating the school closing ceremony day. We would like to organize a drawing competition, volley ball competition and football competition for the students.

Decisions made during the annual meeting: 1) There will be no annual meeting in the 2012- 2013 school year.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

45

2) The budget will include building two schools in the 2012- 2013 school year: (Kar Nar Dern primary and Wai Nor Dern primary school). 3) In the 2012 2013 school year the teacher stipend will increase by 500 Baht: each teacher will receive 6,000 Baht (200 USD) annually. Below are more comments from teachers and school committees who attended the annual meeting: We know more about our responsibilities in our work and future work. We need more days for the meeting. We have had a chance to meet with the school committees and teachers in the program. We have had two and half days for discussions about our weak points, strong points and to make future plans. We now know more about how to work together in an effective way. We need a place where we can discuss far from the noisy place. I know more information from the meeting especially about the funding sources and how the funding has been spent. We need more days (time) for the meeting because there are many issues to discuss. During the meeting time it should include songs and games to wake up the participants. We should invite the parents to participant in the discussion. This is the first time for me to attend the annual meeting: In the meeting I learnt and know more about the schools in the program, I can share with the parents and school committees in my village. I would like to have the meeting annually. We need to put more time for breakfast and dinner time. We need more women involved in the discussion.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

46

People who attended the annul meeting

Group discussion

WCPRC and the global vote From the 8th to 10th of December there was basic childs right training and the children declaration workshop and teacher training. The workshop was two days long and the students and teachers attended these workshops. There were 63 people attended it and 6 were the teachers and 2 were schools committees. The rest were the students from 24 schools. Two new schools are situated far from the rest of the schools and there is

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

47

concern about security. Due to this issue the children will not participate in the WCPRC/global vote. In the 2010 annual meeting it was decided that the global voting will be organised in one location instead of five locations. Due to the security reason it will not be possible to organise it this way and therefore it will be at the five locations as before.

Children are watching WCPRC 2011 award ceremony video

Workshop (WCPPRC)

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

48

A boy is reading the prize magazine

Organized the place/ location There will be five locations for the 2012 global vote in the Community Schools Program. Location 1: Saw Bwe Dern School Saw Bwe Dern, Hee PoeDern, Paw Hta, Kyaw Nyunt Hta, Kar Nar Dern, and Kaw Lor Khee Location 2: Day Bu Noh in Kyi Soes place Doe Hai Dern, Bu Baw Khee, Pay Gay Dern, Lay Nar Dern, Doi Loe, Paw Say Bu, Mee Wah Dern, Tha Thwee Dern(Ta Kwee Soe), Thoo Bee ( Tha Thwee Dern 2), and Wai Nor Dern Location 3: at Gaw Khee School Loe Khee, Gaw Khee(Ta Khut Lay Koe or Ta Kaw Dern cannot participant) Location 4: Wah Kar Dern Clinic Plaw Khee, Ta Nay Poe Klar, Law Bo Dern, Le wah Koe and Kwee Ta Mar

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

49

Location 5: Doo Tha Htoo areas Ta Mai Khee, Su Khee, Baw Nor War and Ka War Hta Funding situation and sources: The program is funded by many donors and many countries: below are the details of the funding sources. Loe Khee School, Saw Bwe Dern, Hee Poe Dern Ta Mai Khee, Su Khee, Ka Wa Hta, Baw Nor War are receiving funding from the Brackett Foundation and Mr. Bob Brackett and his family. Ta Nay Poe Klar (or) Mae Kaw Lor, Doe Hai Dern, Lay Nar Dern, Wai Nor Dern,Tha Thwee Dern( Ta Kwee Soe), Tha Thwee Dern( Thoo Bee), Kyaw Nyut Hta, Paw Hta and Kwee Ta Mar have been receiving funding from Enfant du Mekong since 2005. At the start of the program there were 20 students representing seven schools. Now there are 55 students receiving sponsorship and sharing with the seven schools. This program only focuss on children who study until they graduate. The rest of the schools in the program are funded by many donors, some are single time donations but Mr. Steve Barton (Australia), Mr. Richard Zamora (USA), Ballinacree/ Mount Nugent, Parish (Ireland), Karen Refugee Women Development Group (UK) are long term donors for the program. In the 2011-2012 school year the program received new donors from many countries, including a donation from Mr. Serge Exertier (Switzerland) which can cover many items such as teachers stipends, transportation and the cost of the 10th anniversary and annual meeting. The Help Without Fourtines donated milk, sugar and Ovaltine for the breakfast on the 10th anniversary. In below are the program contributed by the following donors: Brackett Fondation ( USA)

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

50

Mr. Richard Zamora (USA) Mr. Steve Barton (Australia) Enfant Du Mekong (France) Ballinacree/ Mount Nugent, Parish (Ireland) Mr. Bob Brackett family (USA) Kirwin International Relief Foundation (USA) World Children' Prize Foundation (Sweden) Mr. Serge Exertier family (Switzerland) Karen Refugee Women Development Group (Scotland) Gift of Happiness Foundation( Thailand) Mr. Christopher Bradley(Canada) Mr. Jan Toohey and Mrs. Jim Toohey (USA) Dr. Gaku Murakami (Japan) Edward and Vickie O'Gara Family Foundation( USA) Help Without Fountries( Italy) Dr. Toru Yoneda (Japan) ( donated pencils and note books for the annual meeting) Mr. Kenji ( Japan) ( donated pencils for the students) We do have previous donors helping the program. Mr. John Hussman (USA) Dr. Ida Glode (Denmark) Ms. Inge Sterk (Germany) Ms. Johanna Hallin (Sweden) Dr. Timothy Walker( UK) Clear Parth Interntaional( USA) Alphabet Foundation (Australia) Dr. Suzanne Belton (Australia) Dr. Josephine Wacker (Germany) Hoppy and Judy Winfield (USA) Hazel and Philip (Australia) Dr. Bomi Jung (Medical Aid for the Children in South Korea) Manos Unidas through BIRMANIA POR LA PAZ (Spain)

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

51

Mr. John Manning (Australia) Dr. Nyunt Naing Thein Maung Maung Tin Ko Maung Zaw (South Korea) Australian People for Health Education and Development(APHEDA) Project Umbrella Burma Overview of the program activity (May to December 2011) May 2011 rebuilding the school buildings June 2011 schools opening ceremony June-July 2011 the school committees and teachers collected the school statistics and sent them to the program manager in Mae Sot July and August 2011 sending the teaching supplies to the schools Nov 2011 preparing for the 10th anniversary and annual meeting and also translating the English prize magazine to the Karen version. December 2011 distributing the sarongs/longies to the school committees, teachers and school contact people. December 2011 Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the program December 2011 the child rights training, child declaration workshops and teacher training (how to use the prize magazine and how to organize the global vote) were held in the program. Dec 2011 organising the annual meeting with teachers, school committees and some parents. Dec 2010 the teachers stipends were distributed and each teacher received 4000 Baht, unless from Plaw Khee, Ler Wah Koe, Ta Kaw Dern and Ta Nay Poe Klar. (There are no teachers arriving in the annual meeting so we could not send the stipends with someone else.) Dec 2011 giving some funding for food to the students that received the sponsors by EDM

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

52

Future plan (Jan to April 2012) Send the English, Burmese and Karen version magazines to schools(Jan 12) Start building work at Saw Bwe Dern, Hee Poe Dern and Paw Hta School and Pay Gay Der School ( Jan12) Fill out the new students applications and send to EDM(Jan 12) Prepare the budgets for the four schools (schools that are funded by the Brackett Foundation) Feb 12 Final exam for the students (Feb 12) Pay the second instalment of the teachers stipend (1500 Baht/ each) (February12) Organise the global vote (February and March12) Distribute the school materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, to the schools in the 2012 2013 school year (March or April 12) Send the results of the global vote and photos to Sweden (April 12) Submit the activity report and account for the WCPRC activity (end of April 12) Submit the final report and account to the donors (End of April or beginning of May 12) Needs for the schools Doi Loe school teachers would like to have a school library for students and the parents. Mostly it needs story books with pictures that will be interesting for the children. Digital camera. Text books for Karen, English, and Science. Solar panel for the students. Guitars. Drinking water. Toilets.

Challenges There are still many children in Karen State, Burma who cannot able to attend school due to poverty and they need to leave school even if they do not want to. They need to

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

53

help their parents on the farm, looking after the animals, and looking after their younger brothers and sisters. Many children drop out after primary level because they would otherwise have to move to a new location to study further. The parents are not able to help them move and it is not safe for the children to go to another place. Successful In the 2011 2012 school year the program has included more women on the school committees. This means that women can still work even though they are married and have children. This will aid female empowerment in Burma, where many women are uneducated and do not work after marriage. In this school year the program has provided one sarong/longyi to the school committee members because they are working hard in their community. In this school year the teachers stipend increased by 500 Baht, so each teacher received 5,500 Baht. This helps the teachers to be able to buy food especially as the price of the rice has increased.

Conclusion Despite many challenges, the Community Schools' Program is running well and benefiting not only many children throughout Burma, but also their families and the communities they live in. Through the program, communities continue to learn important skills such as teamwork and co-operation. In time, this will allow communities to become more independent and sustainable, so they can stand on their own two feet when peace is achieved. Ultimately, the Community Schools' Program provides an opportunity for many children to receive a better quality education. This is vital if these children are to one day become the future leaders of Burma and strive to achieve peace in Karen state. We hope that the Community Schools' Program will continue to grow because unfortunately there are still many children without access to education.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

54

Eating together in Karen New Year Day

We would like to thank all the donors and friends for their generous support of this project. You are making a huge difference to the future of many children's lives.

Activity report of the Community Schools' Program May to December 2011

55